topic how do change custom paper size in AutoCAD Forum

how do change custom paper size

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 20:33:46 GMT

Hello, I am working on printing a rather large image. The size is 36"x84" or 3'x7'. On AutoCAD 2020 student version i go to Change custom paper size and it won't allow me to change the custom paper size that I had. I can't even click on the option to add a custom paper size. My plotter is a HP DesignJet T730. Could it have something to do with the plotter setting? Any help will be appreciated.

Re: how do change custom paper size

pendean — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 20:48:06 GMT

Custom Sheet Sizes are a plotter driver setting/option, and if your Windows log-in has permission to do so, nothing you can do about it from inside AutoCAD otherwise.

Note: you cannot do this within a Pc3 file either if that is what you are using for a driver in AutoCAD.

Re: how do change custom paper size

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 21:35:11 GMT

So how can I actually get it to print an image that big? 3'x7'?

Mark

Re: how do change custom paper size

ChicagoLooper — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 03:31:12 GMT

You are plotting on a large format plotter. Contrary to popular belief, printing on a large format plotter is not as easy as printing a PDF (did I mention this is contrary to popular belief?). Use the Printer named AutoCAD PDF (General Documentation).pc3 instead. Once you have the PDF you can easily print a hardcopy from your PDF program. Just select select 'Choose paper source by PDF page size' and your plotter will do the rest.

Try this:

From the Plot dialog window, choose the printer named 'AutoCAD PDF (General Documentation).pc3
While still in the Plot dialog window, select PROPERTIES.
From the Plotter configuration Editor, select Custom Paper Sizes under the User-defined Paper Sizes & Calibration section, then click the 'Add' button.
In the Custom Paper Size dialog, select 'Start from scratch' then click Next.
For width, enter 84.00 and for height, enter 36.00. For units select 'Inches' then click Next.
For all four margins, over write the defaults and make all margins 0 (zero) then click Next.
Give your paper size a name, use name such as '84.00 x 36.00 Inches' or similar. The name should be short and descriptive. Click Next.
Click finish then click 'Save As.'
Over write the same Plotter used in step 1, the plotter named AutoCAD PDF (Gen Doc).pc3
Go to plot dialog window and select AutoCAD PDF (Gen Doc).pc3 for your plotter.
For Paper size, select 84.00 x 36.00 Inches, the sheet you just customized, then plot your PDF.
Open your PDF and from from your PDF program, plot using HP Design Jet T730. Be sure to select 'Choose paper source by PDF page size' from your PDF program. Before your plot, make sure your have 36" wide paper in the plotter and not ANSI-D which uses 34" width.

Re: how do change custom paper size

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 15:26:11 GMT

Thank you for your advice. However when I do export it as a PDF, into
Adobe Acrobat Pro, when I go to print it out, I click on the "Choose Paper
Source from PDF" the image is grayed out except the 8.5"x11" box. The
plotter is selected but the plotters settings won't allow me to choose the
size I want from the dropdown box of available paper sizes. I hope that
makes sense. I'm not sure how to change that, or even if I can change
that.

Mark